One of the guys on here linked me to this thread. I am hooked on a slalom ski after a random demo a couple weeks ago. I don't plan on doing any racing but demoed this ski a couple weeks ago and am not sure I can recall when I've ever had so much fun on pair of skis. Someone quoted that skiing a slalom ski is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Skiing these guys was amazing.

My new skis will likely be Dynastar Omeglass Speed ti. My current front side ski is a Blizzard Magnum 8.0 ti and when I get the Dynastars I'll likely sell the Magnums.

I am not normally an aggressive skier but something happened to me when I put these skis on.............

This was what I was wondering....if a longer SL ski might be better for what I'm skiing here? Or does it negate the idea of a slalom ski?
Race coach said non-FIS GS works, too.....but not as good for technique development?
So much to think about! Probably the best would be to find a good deal on both kinds! :-)

I test most of the SL gear with the jr racers I train. Testing includes timing them on various course sets (tight gs course -- lots of gate offset, decent pitch with gates set at short lengths 14-16m vs less offset longer distance between gates). I don't know anyone else this OCD in their jr ski selection but I'm sure there are a few nut-jobs like me out there. I also sell lots of used jr and adult race stock. Here are my observations:

1. Go FIS. I don't buy the "FIS is too much ski" line when it comes to SL race stock. The SL stock (used v new) is higher quality gear vs consumer carving "stuff" with better edge hold that can be had much cheaper. Its not too much ski, its the most fun you will ever have on a carving ski. period. just my opinionated opinion =)

2. The ski you select depends on the course set. If you have a wider-between-gates-less-offset course set that has some tuck portion at the end -- any high speed hard turn you make on a soft, short sl ski may toss you (hook up hard then toss you over the handlebars). Feathering the SL ski into the last gate turns is necessary when the ski s at speed. For this reason on the tight gate set courses, I select a longer stiffer sl which will allow carving the short gate sets, more glide in the last gates and less potential for a high speed toss. Training on a long (stiffer) SL requires making long and short radius turns to dial in the ski and see if it will work.

Several weeks ago we attend a race with a fairly long GS ski all prepped. As soon as I saw the tight gate set I knew I'd brought the wrong ski. Both kids I train DQ'd (missed gates) in the first of 4 gs races (2 sat 2 sun). The fastest kids had to skivitt about 25% of the gates on GS skis. The second day I put the faster kid on a shorter GS the other on a long SL. The long SL ended up 2 seconds faster, but almost threw the racer in the final tight hi speed gates.

Take home -- I replaced the head i.sl with a different, longer sl that was stiffer (2014 Rossi radical pro ti SL)

For you I'd suggest a long, stiff SL try the 165 Rossi. The sidecut will hook up despite a stouter ski, making it easier and faster if you're late in a few turns. Also get a short GS and learn to get early in your turn and wait for the ski to carve the wider arc. Maybe a head i.gs. The GS will be faster if you can carve it. If you can't you will be faster on the long stout SL until you learn to carve the gs. Train large radius turns on the SL ski before racing it =). If the ski wants to bend too hard/fast at race speed look for something stiffer or go short gs.

Hmmm really missing having a slalom ski. Especially with today's slush snow. Slalom skis are actualky quite goid in slushy snow. Balance is a bit of a challenge fore/aft at times and sometimes the outside ski can bog down as the boot plows through piles. But it's so much fun. Esp skiing with people who think they need a 100mm + ski in it.

As a side note I talked with someone who'd skied one if the "lesser" priced Zai skis. Was about $3,500. He spent a few seconds on that then started raving about the Rossi Hero
ST (short turn) consumer slalom. You could get that in 172cm.

In general though, agree with @SteveSkiDad and @ Scotsskier. FIS over consumer. Just don't go Fischer stiff version. Med or soft. Scotsskier skis tons of Fis slalom and gs skis.